The transition from a planned to a market economy has had dramatic consequences in all post-Soviet republics but especially so in Central Asia. Twenty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we wish to examine the well-being of individuals and households in these countries.
We aim at bringing together researchers from several disciplines, especially economics, sociology, geography, and anthropology, in this conference.

Call for papers

The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) invites submissions for an international research conference on the micro-level analysis of well-being in Central Asia on 10-11 May 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The transition from a planned to a market economy has had dramatic consequences in all post-Soviet republics but especially so in Central Asia. Twenty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we wish to examine the well-being of
individuals and households in these countries. We aim at bringing together researchers from several disciplines, especially economics, sociology, geography, and anthropology, in this conference.

We do not impose any specific definition of well-being but welcome papers using different concepts. All papers should have an empirical focus and use quantitative or qualitative data at the micro level. A nonexhaustive list of research topics includes:

· Trends in poverty and inequality
· Effects of migration on well-being
· Human capital and labour market developments
· Household coping strategies in transition situations and their effects on well-being
· Relevance of social networks for well-being
· Political transition and its effects on well-being
· Conflict and well-being
· Religion and well-being
· Measurement of well-being (for example, objective vs. subjective measures)

Other papers of relevance to the micro-level analysis of well-being in the region are also welcome.

Please send a one-page abstract and a short CV as pdf files to [email protected] and indicate “Central Asia 2012” in the subject heading. The submission deadline is 30 September 2011. Notification of acceptance will be sent out by the beginning of November 2011. The deadline for full paper submission is 31 March 2012. Submitted papers may be considered for publication in peer-reviewed journals (e.g. in a special issue). Further
information on the conference will be placed at http://www.diw.de/centralasia.
Submissions should be in English, which is also the conference language. Funding for travel and accommodation may be available for researchers who are either early in their careers and/or currently live in Central Asia. If you wish to obtain financial support, please indicate this with your abstract submission.

Organising Committee

Tilman Brück, DIW Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Matthias Schmidt, Freie Universität Berlin
Susan Steiner, DIW Berlin
Manja Stephan, Humboldt-